ipsy (Myglam) - April 2012

With a revamped site and billing issues being reviewed, as well as truly great products in this bag, I think I can now say that Myglam has gotten its act together and is truly listening to its subscribers. This months bag was what I've been hoping for since I joined their monthly service.

{Here's what was in the bag}: 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil, Ransom
Dermstore Lip Quench
All Belle Eyelashes
Myglam Brushes, All-over eyeshadow & Eyeliner brushes

Subscription purchased by me, affiliate links within post

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil, Ransom

I absolutely LOVE Urban Decay eyeliners! I was worried that I would get black or pink (which is great, but I doubt it would get much use), but I ended up with Ransom. As you can tell from previous posts, I've been a bit obsessed with purple eyeliner on my lower eyelid so I was pretty happy to receive this shade. No more layering purple eyeshadow on top of the liner to ensure it lasts. :)

Dermstore Lip Quench

This was a bit of a miss for me. The product is difficult to squeeze out and doesn't have the best taste to it; it's like a less sweetened mango. It's a bit odd. I don't feel a difference on my lips after use. To me, it just seems like a longer lasting lip gloss.

All Bell Eyelashes

I haven't had any events pop up to wear these for. Just looking at them, I can tell these won't have a realistic effect, but maybe that will change once they're actually applied and blending with my own lashes. While I love the added lashes effect, I haven't experimented with fake lashes before because I'm never sure which to buy.  So, I'm very happy to have received these in my bag because now I'll have some to play with.

Myglam Brushes, All-over Eyeshadow and Eyeliner Brushes

The brushes aren't that great quality, but they're fine for when other brushes are dirty. Also, I realize that I took a picture of the wrong brush haha

Do I expect Urban Decay every month? No. I'm sure a lot of subscribers are happy about that, but I don't expect for that to become the norm.

You can purchase an ipsy subscription {here}.

What did you think of this month's bag?

-Claudia

Birchbox - April 2012

It's been a while since I've posted! I've been working hard to finish up this school semester with all A's. I just have one more week to go, which is why I haven't been here in a few weeks.

Here's my review for April's Birchbox.

{What was in the box}:

Atelier Cologne - Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue
Befine Skincare Sampler
Olle Biologique - 004 Huile Moderne
Revolution Organics Freedom Glow beauty balm
Le Palais des Thes - Tea bags

Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue

I'm not a big fan of perfume. That's just something I'm very picky about, but I don't mind when that's included simply for that. If you're looking for a review on perfume, I'm probably not the one to ask. I'm just not a perfume person, haha. This particular one was a bit strong for me. It smells very citrusy (hey! orange!!) and a bit like Abercrombie and Fitch stores. Not a bad, but it's not really what I tend to go for.

Befine Skincare Sampler

I was pretty excited to try this out...until I tried it, had it leak out of the package almost entirely, and then realized the entire package was expired. From 2010!

Olle Biologique, Multitasker Oil

This oil can be used all over (hair, face, AND body). So far, I've only used it on my hair, as that seems the best place to gauge how well these products work...at least, in my opinion. I've been using this and last month's Kerastase Elixier Ultime every other day after showering, and it seems like the Olle Biologique product works best for my hair. Unfortunately, I have a LOT of hair, so I don't know that I see myself purchasing the full size product ($56) simply because it takes so much of the product to get it through my hair.

Revolution Organics Freedom Glow beauty balm

This was the product I was most excited about to receive in my box and it was such a let down! As you can see from the swatch, it is incredibly flakey which makes it a hassle to work with. It looks fine when blended into the skin, but I don't see myself sweeping this across my lips or cheeks while I'm on the run, which is what I was hoping for.

Le Palais des Thes, tea bags

This was an extra, which I still have yet to use but I appreciated because I love tea! Even if I dislike these, I love trying new teas!

I was initially excited to try out a few of the products, but overall, I was pretty disappointed with this month's box. The box actually had a few nice items (the beauty balm and multitasker oil), but the expired sampler was very disappointing. I'm torn between cutting the service and just keeping it. I don't think next month's box will be a dealbreaker, unless it's terrible. Until then! :)

What did you think about this month's box? What was in your box?

You can subscribe to Birchbox from my referral link {here} or on Birchbox.com

-Claudia

FOTD - Friend's Birthday

Happy birthday to one of my gal-pal's--Monica! We went out to Buca di beppo's up north to celebrate. I've been really digging this bright-colored-eyeliner-on-bottom-lash-line thing, so look out for that again!

Here's my look of the day:

Face

Laura Mercier foundation primer, hydrating

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in beige

MAC Studio Sculpt concealer in NW30

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda concealer palette

Laura Mercier Golden Mosaic bronzer

MAC Sweet as Cocoa

Eyes

Urban Decay primer potion in Greed
MAC Expensive Pink
MAC Swiss Chocolate
MAC Mulch
MAC Ricepaper
MAC Woodwinked
Urban Decay Demolition
Urban Decay Ransom
MAC Brun (eyebrows)
Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara

Lips

Sonia Kashuk Sheer Bronzey Nude

Here's the look under different lighting:

-Claudia

FOTD - Hunger Games Premiere

I usually don't dress up or do anything too special for movie premieres, but I decided to go all out for the Hunger Games movie last month. I tried to get a good shot of the makeup before I left, but the pictures didn't turn out so great. Anywho, hope you enjoy.

Face

Laura Mercier Foundation primer - hydrating

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in Beige

MAC Coppertone blush

Eyes

Urban Decay Naked Palette:

-Half Baked

-Smog

-Creep

Wet n Wild eyeliner in Purple/Violet

Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Palette:

-Omen

Wet n Wild I (heart) Matte:

-"Crease"/Blue

Urban Decay eyeliner in Demolition

Avon eyeliner -glimmersticks diamonds in Sugar Plum

MAC Brun (eyebrows)

Lips

Sonia Kashuk lipstick in Sheer Bronzey Nude

If you're interested in recreating the look, I used the Haifa Wehbe tutorial from Pixiwoo.

-Claudia